Hong Kong Visa & Immigration Topics

Lame Excuses Won’t Cut It If You’re Caught Working In Hong Kong Without An Employment Visa

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Feature Article, Investment Visas, Musing, Refusals & Appeals, Special Programmes, Visitor Visas / 2 responses

Caught Working in Hong Kong Without an Employment Visa? If you’re working in Hong Kong  (paid, unpaid or temporarily transferred in) but do not have an employment visa sponsored by your current employer you are breaking the law and could be subject to 3 years imprisonment and/or up to a HKD350,000 fine. The law is very […]

Can I Sponsor Myself For Freelance Work ‘On-the-Side’ Whilst Working For My Current Hong Kong Employment Visa Sponsor?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

This is joining in a side business albeit in another name…and a solution for certain types of Hong Kong Employment Visa holders thinking about freelancing in Hong Kong PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: The advice regarding securing ImmD permission to “join in a side business” under Section […]

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If I Get A Hong Kong Investment Visa Can I Consult To A Single Client Only As A Pseudo-Employee?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

Just how ‘flexible is the Hong Kong investment visa? PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: Historical Editorial Standard: This Question of the Week addresses an independent professional seeking to hold a GEP Investment as Entrepreneur visa while billing 100% of their time to a single corporate […]

Is There Any Special Visa Type For Foreign National Media Professionals Seeking To Live & Freelance In Hong Kong?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / 2 responses

Is There Any Special Visa Type For Foreign National Media Professionals Seeking To Live & Freelance In Hong Kong? Independent media professionals often occupy a round-pegs-in-square-holes situation when it comes to being able to practice their trade in Hong Kong and this question discusses how they might go about being able to do so. PRACTICE […]

Can You Remain In Hong Kong Under An Employment Visa Sponsored By An Ex-Employer & Run A Hong Kong Sole Proprietorship Providing Services Outside Of Hong Kong (Mostly)?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Your Question Answered / No responses

Remain in Hong Kong under an Employment Visa sponsored by an ex-Employer? Unusual set of facts in this case and a question never posed to me in this fashion previously… PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: This warning against attempting to retain residence via a defunct […]

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Can You Freelance Or Start Your Own Business Under A Hong Kong Working Holiday Visa?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Special Programmes, Your Question Answered / 5 responses

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: This article’s guidance explaining that a Working Holiday Visa holder who decides to freelance or launch a business must promptly regularize their status by applying for an Entrepreneur Visa must now highlight the impossibility of a casual transition. Working holidaymakers […]

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Hong Kong Employment Visa Self-Sponsorship – The Reality For Entrepreneurs Masquerading As Employees

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Investment Visas, Musing / 6 responses

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: This warning against attempting to bypass the investment visa test by setting up a company, owning shares, and applying for an employment visa as a “self-sponsored employee” carries far heavier consequences today. Historically, ImmD would simply “pierce the corporate veil,” […]

Hong Kong Entrepreneur Visa (Business Investment) – A Practical Guide

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing, Resource, VG Front Page / No responses

The Hong Kong entrepreneur visa (business investment) is arguably the most challenging immigration status to acquire in the HKSAR… PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: This primary portal page—which historically outlines the general qualification principles and describes an approvability test accommodating early-stage commercial concepts—must now serve as […]

How To Apply For A Hong Kong Investment Visa Without Paying For Professional Help – 10 – The Catch 22

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Investment Visas, Musing / No responses

I have given this talk around town for the last couple of years now and so pleased to finally add it to our coverage of the Hong Kong investment visa. This segment speaks to the proverbial issue of having started your Hong Kong business before you have received the permission of the Hong Kong Immigration Department […]

What Do Both Hong Kong Employment & Investment Visa Applications Share In Common?

Posted by The Visa Geeza / in Employment Visas, Hadley Says…, Investment Visas / 15 responses

PRACTICE UPDATE: How the content must now be read in light of current ImmD policy: Historically, this explainer examined the shared legal DNA between General Employment Policy (GEP) employment and investment visas, emphasizing their common statutory roots under Section 11 of the Immigration Ordinance. Both routes were presented as flexible, narrative-driven exercises governed by administrative […]